Francisco blasts another bomb, Jays beat Indians 4-2

John Lott, Postmedia News05.16.2014

Toronto Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during fifth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera makes the throw to first base to put out Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista during sixth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion hits a two-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during fifth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians second baseman Mike Aviles, left, is late on the tag as Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes, centre, slides safe into second after hitting a double to left field during sixth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes, top centre, forces out Cleveland Indians second baseman Mike Aviles, left, then turns the double play over to first base to out Indians centre fielder Michael Bourn as Blue Jays second baseman Brett Lawrie, right, watches the play during seventh inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Wednesday, May 14, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians DH Jesus Aguilar tosses his bat after being walked as he makes his major league debut while playing against the Toronto Blue Jays during second inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Blue Jays DH Edwin Encarnacion rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during fifth inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Brett Lawrie, top, forces out Cleveland Indians DH Jesus Aguilar, bottom, at second base then turns the double play over to first base out Indians catcher Yan Gomes during second inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ works against the Cleveland Indians during first inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Aviles works against the Toronto Blue Jays during first inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians DH Jesus Aguilar makes his major league debut while playing against the Toronto Blue Jays during second inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Cleveland Indians third baseman Carlos Santana bobbles the ball against the Toronto Blue Jays during third inning AL baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, May 15, 2014.Nathan Denette
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO – Since 2011, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion have formed the fulcrum of the Toronto Blue Jays’ offence. Now comes an improbable enhancement in Juan Francisco, signed and sent to Buffalo late in spring training to provide insurance.

The Jays are happily collecting on that small investment. In their 4-2 win over Cleveland, Francisco hit his seventh home run. Encarnacion hit two into the seats, good for three runs, along with a double. He has eight homers.

That power display complemented a six-inning start by J.A. Happ, who allowed one run and six hits during a session that served as a tonic for the embattled Toronto pitching staff. In his previous start, Happ failed to survive the third inning.

“I thought he was great, he really was," manager John Gibbons said. "He stepped up. I thought (catcher Erik) Kratz did a nice job with him, working that fastball on the inside part of the plate. That was big for him … and big for us.”

On a day when the Jays ended the Dustin McGowan rotation experiment, leaving them with four starters, Happ’s performance helped stabilize the staff, at least for the moment.

Happ was a starter last year and opened this season on the disabled list, then was relegated to long relief until Brandon Morrow was injured early this month. After the game, he was asked whether he was pitching to prove a point. The implication was that he was trying to show management he should have been in the rotation all along.

"I don't want to get into that," Happ said. "I think you're always doing that to somebody. That person may change or those people may change."

Casey Janssen logged his second save in two opportunities since coming off the disabled list Sunday. The Indians scored a run off Steve Delabar in the eighth, but Aaron Loup struck out David Murphy to strand two runners.

Encarnacion and Francisco hit solo homers in the second inning. In the fifth, Bautista singled and scored ahead of Encarnacion’s second-tier shot to left field.

Francisco, who was called up in mid-April when Adam Lind landed on the disabled list, reached the seven-homer plateau in only 80 at-bats. Twelve of his 24 hits have gone for extra bases.

In their past 10 games, Encarnacion and Francisco have combined for 10 homers and 25 RBIs while batting .324. During that period, the Jays have averaged 5.7 runs per game. Bautista hit only one homer during that stretch, but batted .325.

"I feel great at the plate the last couple of weeks," Encarnacion said. "I’m very happy and very proud because I know when I feel like that I can help my team win a lot of games."

Normally a regular at first base, Encarnacion was the DH for the past two games because he experienced back spasms on Wednesday. He studies opposing pitchers assiduously on video and was asked whether serving as the DH might help his hitting because he can visit the video suite between at-bats.

"The only thing I know is I have a lot more time to work on the video, watching the pitchers, so I can see how he throws, how he throws to Bautista before I face him, all that stuff," Encarnacion said. "I don’t know if it helps me or not, but I have more time."

Toronto also fielded its third starting centre fielder of the week in Anthony Gose, called up from Buffalo earlier in the day when Colby Rasmus was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain. The speedy, strong-armed Gose made several splendid defensive plays and made a throw that turned a routine RBI single into a close play at the plate.

Until Rasmus returns, Gibbons plans to platoon Gose, a left-handed hitter, and Kevin Pillar, a right-hander just called up on Tuesday. One of them might earn a longer stint with the Jays, Gibbons said.

“You never know what happens between now and then,” he said. “Battle it out, you know?”

Gose is the organization's top defensive outfielder – "you’re not going to find a better centre-fielder," Gibbons said – but he was batting only .236 at Buffalo. Last year he hit .259 in 52 games for Toronto.

“He may be one of those guys (who) plays better up here anyway,” Gibbons said. “I know one thing, he thinks he’s a big-league player. He’ll get a shot to keep doing it.”

Gose was 0-for-2 but reached base twice when he walked and was hit in the ribs by a 93-mph fastball.

The Jays gave Gibbons his 400th victory. His record is 400-414.

"In managerial history, I don’t know if that means a lot," he said when asked about the milestone. "It’s a nice round number.”

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.